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*―――――Ah, they are finally gone.*

After the massive golem was swallowed by the sands, the fire dragon let out a deep breath from within its cavern.

Where that breath touched the desert, the sand melted into glass. As it did, the dragon exhaled in relief.

It had made it in time. It had entrusted what needed to be passed on. Before its long life came to an end, it had fulfilled its final duty.

“…Which is exactly why it’s so irritating. You didn’t have to go shortening your already limited remaining time.”
**――――Not all dragons obey you, you know. Crimson Princess.**
“Clearly not. You won’t grovel for me, but you’ll follow some human king? How absolutely infuriating.”

From above, the life of the scorched-flame dragon looked like a candle on the verge of flickering out.

If *I* were to strike it down now, it would be easier than breathing on it.

“Any last words, ancient dragon? You’ve committed a grave sin, hiding it all until the very end.”
**――――Indeed… I did hesitate. What good would it do to dig up a dust-covered history now?**

The dragon chuckled, a low rumble deep in its throat.

Its eyes, clouded with age and barely functional, gazed off into the distance with something like delight.

**――――I found myself wanting to see more of present-day humanity. I thought it would be a waste to vanish without knowing anything… Princess of Dragons.**
“I see. Then die.”

There was no longer any point in speaking with a traitor. What was done could not be undone. All that remained was to deliver justice, quietly and thoroughly.

“…The tower must not be demolished. Foolish humans… I warned them so many times.”

――――――――…………
――――……
――…

“What! To think something like this was hidden in my desert!”
“It’s not your desert.”
“What is this… a ruin?”
“More like a research lab than a ruin, I’d say. Momo, be careful, okay?”
“Right! It looks dangerous, so you all stay inside Kyodaigorou for now!”

After disembarking from the Kyodaigorou, which had managed a somewhat successful landing, the sensation of soft dust and sand filtered up through the soles of our shoes.

This place hadn’t been abandoned for just a year or two—it had to be far older. Just how long ago had this facility been built?

“It’s really dusty… and the flooring isn’t stone, either. Is this some kind of magitech material?”
“But White One… Magitech only flourished in the past few decades. The building itself is clearly over a hundred years old.”
“Wait—why are both of you tagging along?!”
“I’d be a lot more worried letting you walk around alone. Plus, you’ll need a light source, won’t you?”
“There’s no way I could sit still in a place like this! So I’m counting on you for protection!”
“You’re such a handful, Your Majesty!”

Outmatched by their stubbornness, I ended up walking through the massive underground space with both the king and Master in tow.

I complained, but honestly, having Master light the way with a floating fireball was a huge help. This underground facility was way bigger than I expected—there’s no way I could’ve explored it alone without a light.

“Momo, not that way. You’re drifting to the right. Head straight toward the fireball.”
“Huh? I thought I was going straight… Wait, Master, did you find something?”
“Not me—Daigorou. Judging from the echo in here, he thinks there’s something up ahead. So go straight. Got it?”
“Roger! Thanks, Daigorou!”
**“Woof!”**

From atop the slowly trailing Kyodaigorou in its truck form, Daigorou barked back cheerfully.

Come to think of it, was Master really okay not riding on Daigorou? She’d just been floating after me this whole time.

“If I ride Daigorou, I lose the ability to react quickly. In an environment like this where anything could happen, staying light on my feet is better.”
“Master, you’re scarily good at reading my mind sometimes.”
“You’re just too easy to read. I’ve told you again and again—don’t wear your thoughts on your face. It’s a fatal flaw for a wizard.”
“Ehhh, is it really that bad?!”
“Fuhaha! I see, I see! Momo, it seems the White One is quite fond of you!”

The king let out a booming laugh, clearly enjoying himself, and Master came to a sudden, sharp halt.

Then, floating smoothly down to the ground, she approached the king with a completely blank expression.

“I just heard something I can’t ignore. Care to repeat that?”
“You clearly value your disciple, do you not? And you even pulled that beast-shaped golem back to the rear so it wouldn’t get damaged. I understand, I understand! No need to be shy!”
“Momo, I’m giving you fair warning because I’m kind. Get away from him within three seconds. You don’t want your clothes stained with blood, do you?”
“No! Master, no! Geez, why are you two always getting into fights?!”

“Banish the idea. I have no intention of harming the White One. Let us get along—and then become my wife!”
“I will. Kill. You.”
“Okay, okay! Everybody back off! Master, just focus on lighting the way! And Your Majesty, keep an eye on our rear!”
“Ordering me around, are you? Delightful! I shall fulfill this task with great pride!”
“Hmph. Just try not to get shot in the back. …Momo, you keep your eyes forward.”
“Eh?—Wah, owowowow!”

I’d been too distracted by the argument behind me and nearly walked straight into a wall.

Apparently, I’d made it all the way to the edge of the room without realizing it. A thick iron wall loomed right in front of me.

“Wow, it looks solid… This has to be a dead end.”
“…It’s not just a wall. Magic power doesn’t pass through it. Destroying it with magecraft is impossible.”
“What! A wall that dares block my path? How insolent. Is there no entrance somewhere?”
“Hmm, I don’t think punching it is going to help…”

From the way it felt when I gave it a few light knocks, I had a strong feeling I’d break my arm before I made a dent in it.

The surface of the wall was completely smooth, with nothing to grab onto—not something I could climb. It seemed better to look for another path.

*“…Hmm? Momo, could you step away from the wall for a sec?”*
“Ms. Hoshikawa? Okay, sure, stepping back~”

Her voice came through Kyodaigorou’s mic system, sounding like she’d noticed something.

I did as she asked, but I couldn’t tell what she was seeing.

*“Laika, Laika, think you could give us more light? I kinda wanna see what’s up above the wall~”*

“You sure are demanding… Magic power doesn’t grow on trees, you know… *Light up.*”

Muttering complaints, Master still chanted the spell and conjured several more fireballs, each the same size as before, efficiently illuminating the entire wall.

Once the light reached the upper sections that had been out of sight, even I noticed something odd. The wall, which I thought had been completely smooth, had a large indentation—far above my head.

“…Um, Ms. Hoshikawa. Is that what I think it is?”
*“I wasn’t sure at first, but… yeah, looks like it.”*

There was also a single vertical seam in the wall, running straight up and down.

At least within the area the light covered, it stretched from the floor all the way to the ceiling.

*“Yup, it’s gotta be a door!”*

Because the “wall” we’d been staring at—now towering above me like I’d turned into a tiny doll—had a massive handle set into it. A giant door, no doubt about it.